Welding apparatus



May 26, 1942 IL. A. 'YODER I 2,284,315

WELDING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BYfiM/micl ATTORNEY May 26, 1942. L. A. YODER 2,284,315

' WELDING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ll 2a zwull IINVENTOR BY W $71M ATTORNEY Patented May 26,-1942 wELDlN G APPARATUSLeonard A. Yoder Lakewood, Ohio, assignor'to The Yoder Company,Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 6, 1941,Serial No. 421,889

8Claims.

This invention relates to welding apparatus of the resistancetype,'wherein the welding electrodes and the transformer for supplyingcurrent, to the electrodes are connected together, both electrically andmechanically, and mounted for rotation as a unit. As illustrating oneapplication of the invention, the work consists of P pe, the buttingseam of which is to be welded.

One object of the invention is to provide, in apparatus of this typeemploying a standard form of transformer, an improved mountingconsisting of a frame, in which the transformer is supported, carryingoutwardly of one end thereof theelectrodes for engagement with the workand spaced bearings for the frame, whereby the transformer andelectrodes may be rotated as a unit. In this arrangement, the electrodesare closely related to the terminals of the secondary winding of thetransformer, current losses are reduced and electrodes of relativelysmall diameter may be used.

Another object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of this typean improved mounting of simplified construction for rotatably supportingthe transformer and electrodes, whereby these parts may be readilyrotated by the work.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart to which my invention relates from the following description takenin connection with .the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is aview, partly in side elevation and partly in section, of a weldingapparatus ,embodying my invention;

Fig, 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; and

latter driven by means (not shown) within the casing 5. The rolls 6 areremovable, whereby they may be replaced by other rolls dependent upon.the size of the pipe to be welded. The casing 5 is adjustable on thebed Ia transversely to the direction of feed of the pipe A by means of ascrew I. The mechanism for delivering the pipe A to the rolls '6 is notshown as it forms no part of the present invention.

Of the supporting means 2, 8 indicates a plurality of upright members(preferably four in number) suitably fixed to the top wall of the frameI and arranged to support thereabove a separate frame 9 preferably ofsubstantially rectangular shape, whereby portions of the mounting 2 andtransformer 3 may be positioned within the frame to reduce the overallheight of the apparatus. For reasons later set forth, the frame 9 isadjustable vertically on the members 8 by the followinginstrumentalities: I0 indicates a shaft extending througheach member 8,-which is provided with suitable bearings therefor, and a hollow boss II,provided on the lower side of the top wall of the frame I. Each shaft I8is provided on its lower end with a sprocket l2 for a purpose later setforth and intermediate its ends it is provided with a collar I3 adaptedto engage the upper bearing (which is preferably adapted to takethrusts) in the adjacent member 8. The upper portions of the shafts IIIare provided with screw threads Ifla which engage threads on the innerwalls of tubular members I4, one for each shaft Ill, fixed to anddepend.-

1 ing from the frame 9, the members I4 serving Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryview on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings, I indicates as an entirety a frame of any desiredconstruction forming a supporting member for a supporting means,indicated as an entirety at 2, on which a transformer 3 and its mounting(the latter being indicated as an entirety at 2'), are positioned.Thetransformer 3 comprises a core 3, primary windings and secondarywindings having terminals 30, 3b, connected to electrodes 4, la, in themanner later set forth. The frame I also provides a bed Ia for a casing5 arranged to house suitable supporting means (not shown) for shafts 5awhich are provided with work supporting and guide as nuts so that whenthe shafts III are rotated the frame 9 is raised or lowered according tothe direction of rotation of the shafts. The shafts I8 are rotatedsimultaneously in the same direction preferably by means of an endlesschain I5 engaging a driven sprocket I6 fixed to a shaft, which ismounted in the walls of a gear box I1, and drivingly connectedv througha suitable gear reduction within shaft of a motor I9.

The mounting 2' consists of a member 22 rotatably mounted as later setforth and comprising three sections 22a, 22b and 22c, the transformer 3being secured to and mounted within the section 22a and the sections22b, 220, being devices 6, the latter being illustrated as rollsrotatable on the shafts 5a and adapted to engage pipe A the seam ofwhich is to be welded. The

rolls 8 may be secured to theshafts 5a and the 63 connected to butinsulated from the section 22a, as shown at 222:, and forming theconductors from the terminals 3a, 3b of the secondary windings'to theelectrodes 4, 4a, respectively. The

section 22a preferably consists of a cage-like device having a pluralityof arms or bars 23 intea casing I8 to the which the cap is secured byscrews32.

grally connected at one end, that end remote from the electrodes 4, 4a,to-a hub 22'. The hub 22' is rigidly connected to an extension 24, anddisposed in line with an imaginary center about which the arms 23 arepositioned and in axial alinement with the axes of the electrodes 4, 4a.The section 22a is preferably provided with four uniformly spaced arms23, the core 3' of the transformer being rigidly secured by suitabledevices 25 to one or more of the arms 23. Th sections 22b, 220,preferably consist of outer and incollar 86, to the extension by a screw81, to insure a fixed relation between the rings 84, 84a,

. as they rotate. Each of the brushes 84b is slidner concentricallyrelated devices provided at their inner ends with oppositely disposed,radially extending plates 26, 26a, respectively, each rigidly connectedat their outer ends (preferably by countersunk screws 26) to the outerends of the arms 23, whereby the sections, which form the member 22, arerigidly connected together. The plates 26, 26a, are provided with pads21 which are rigidly secured to the terminals 3a, 3b, respectively, bycap screws 3a to form an electrical contact therewith. As the devices22b, 22c, are formed of conducting material (such as copper), thecurrent flows from the terminals to the electrodes 4, 4a. Each plate 26,26a, is insulated from the adjacent arm 23 by insulation material 223:,as already set forth. Likewise, the bolts 26' are suitably insulatedfrom the plates 26, 28a, and the adjacent parts. A sleeve 28 ofinsulation material is interposed between the conductor devices 22b,.220; also a section 29a of insulation material is interposed betweenthe inner end of the conductor device 22b and the plate 26a.

The outer end portion of the conductor device .221) is reduced to form aseat for the inner peripheral portion of the electrode 4 which issecured to the device by screws 4. The inner peripheral portion of theelectrod 4;: fits an annular seat 30 formed in a cap 3|, formed ofconducting material, such as copper, and is secured to the latter byscrews 30a and the inner wall of the cap is centrally recessed at 31a tofit over the outer end of the conductor device 220, to A rin 33 formedof insulation material is positioned between the electrodes 4, 4a, andadjacent portions of the conductor device 22b and cap 3|. By means ofthe engagement of the electrode 4 with the conductor device 2212 and theelectrode 4a through the cap 3| with the conductor device 220, theelectrodes have direct electrical connections with the terminals 311, sothat loss of ourrent is reduced to a minimum.

ably mounted in a bar 88 formed of suitable conducting material andcarried on the inner end of a terminal 88a, the outer end portion ofwhich extends through and is mounted in anopening formed in a bracket 88depending from the frame 8. Each terminal is connected to a lead 45.Each terminal 880. is insulated from the wall of its supporting openingby asleeve 88 formed of insulation material. Each brush 84a is actedupon by a spring operated plunger 8|, the casing for the plunger and itsspring being threaded into an opening formed in a section 82 'formed ofinsulation material and supported by the inner end portions of theterminals 881:.

The parts above described are substantially similar to like parts shownin and form the subject-matter of the copending application of Howard I.Morris, of Lakewood, Ohio, Serial No. 321,745, filed March 1, 1940, forwhich reason no claim is made herein to such parts and the mountingthereof broadly for rotation, except in combination the rotatablysupporting means consisting of thefollowing instrumentalities: 34indicates a pair of spaced supporting elements each having at its upperends outwardlyextending lugs 34a rigidly secured to the side members 8aof the frame 9 and depending therefrom. As shown, each of the supportingelements 34 consists of side walls 35, and a top wall 35a and a bottom35b, which walls, by preference, are integrally connected and surroundthe transformer 3 and frame section 22a, the bottom walls 35b beingspacedly connected by a bar 36 to insure the parallel relation of thesupporting elements 34. Each top wall 35a and each bottom wall 35b. ofthe supporting elements 34 is shaped to form a pair of spaced seats 31,for suitable anti-friction bearings 38, the axes of which are parallelto the axes of the electrodes 4, 4a.

The electrical connections to the primary windings of the transformercomprise the following: 80, 80a, indicate leads leading from thewindings to terminals 8 I, Me, which are mounted in conductors 82, 82a,respectively, diametrically disposed on the outer end portion of theextension 24, which extends outwardly from the, hub 22' of the member22. The conductors 82, 8211, are insulated from each other by suitableinsulation material 881: and from the extension 24 by a As will beunderstood, each bearing 38 on each supporting element 34 is inalinement with the Y correspondingly positioned bearing 38 on thedisposed equal distances from the aforesaid center axially related tothe axes of the'electrodes 4, 4a, and are engaged by a pair of spacedrings 38' secured to the arms 23 as laterset forth.

Each bearing 38 preferably consists of two sets of ball bearings, inside by side relation. The outer race, for the inner set of bearings isin engagement with the inner side wall of the adjacent seat 31 and theinner race thereof is in engagement with a shoulder formed by theadjacent reduced end of the shaft 38, whereas the outer race of theouter set of bearingsis held in engagement with the outer race of theinner set of bearings by a ring- 40 secured to the adjacent the ring84a, the disk beingsecured, through a supporting element 34 by screws40a and the inner race of the outer set of bearings is held inengagement with the inner race of theiinner set of bearings bya nut 4|threaded on the outer end portion of the adjacent shaft 38.

In the form of construction shown, the shafts 38 are free to turn intheir bearings 38 and are provided with surfaces 42 on which the rings38' rotate to rotatably support the transformer 3, frame member 22 andelectrodes 4, 40', but it will be obvious that the shafts 88 may befixedly supported in the supporting elements 34 and each 2,284,815provided with freely rotatable flanged rollers to rotatably engage andsupport the rings 39' and parts connected thereto. Each shaft 39 at theopposite end of each ring -engaging surface 42, is

provided w h collars 43, 43a, spaced to engage the opposite sides of theadjacent ring 39', so as to guide the ring while rotating and thusprevent movement by the member 22 and electrodes laterally in eitherdirection axially of the latter.

, The-collars 43 are preferably formed integrally with the shaft '39 andengagethe inner sides of a support and a unitary mechanism comprising aframe consisting of a main section and separate sections axially relatedto said main section of its secondary winding electrically connected tothe rings 39', whereas the collars 43a constitute 1 rings threaded onthe shft-39 and arranged to engage the outer sides of the rings. 43a maybe secured in position in any desired manner.

The collars While it is obvious that the weight of the frame member 22and electrodes 4, 4a, are

' carried on the shafts 38, which are supported on the bottom walls 35bof the supporting elements 34, the engagement of the shafts 39 carriedby the top walls 35a serve to maintain the rings 39' on the shafts 38carried by the bottom wallstib and the electrodes 4, 4a, in engagementwith the work A. Each ring 39', provided on its opposite sides withpairs of lugs 44 which are uniformly spaced therear'ound and secured bycountersunk screws 44a to spaced lugs 45 providedon the arms 23 of themember 22a,

=As hereinbefore set forth, the member 22 is rotated by the engagementof the moving workwith the electrodes 4, 4a, but these parts may bepositively, rotated by a suitable driving mechanism such as shown in theaforesaid copendin'g application of Howard 1. Morris, such mechanismbeing connected to the gear 48, which is suitably vfixed to the hub22".Such driving mechanism may also be employed for rotating the electrodes4, 4a, when the latter are to be re-ground.

It will be noted that since the shafts are carried by the supportingelements 34 and the latter are carried by the frame 9, the verticaladjustment frame 9 to effect the necessary engagement of the electrodes4, 4a, with the work A said electrodes, of spaced airs of bearingsbetween said support and said main frame section disposed parallel tothe common axis of said electrodes and upon opposite sides oftheevertical' axial plane, for rotatably supporting said unitarymechanism, and current supply means connected to"the primary winding ofsaid transformer.

P 2. A welding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spaced pairsof bearings consist of shafts rotatably mounted on-said support and tosaid main frame section engage said shafts, each of said shafts beingprovided with spaced to effect welding of the'latter and rotation of theelectrodes serves also to adjust the shafts as to maintain the member 22and its rotatable supporting means in assembled relation.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that the shafts 39carried by the bottom walls of the supporting elements 34 are disposedparallel to the imaginary center or line axially related to the axesofthe electrodes 4,, and upon opposite sides of a radius struck from saidcenter or line. In this arrangement these shafts form a cradle on whichthe unitary assembled parts rotate.

i It will also be noted that by eliminating bearings between theelectrodes 4, 4a, and frame secvention relates many changes inconstruction and engage said shafts.

spaced rings fixed "to said main-frame section 3. A welding apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the spaced pairs of bearings consist ofshafts mounted on said support and rings fixed collars to engage theopposite sides of. one of said rings to prevent movement of said unitarymechanism axially of the said electrodes.

4. A welding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spaced pairsof bearings consist of shafts mounted on said support and rings fixed tosaid main frame section engage said shafts, and means are provided onsaid support in engagement with said rings for holding them in rollingengagement with said shafts. j

5. In welding apparatus, the combination with a support and'a unitarymechanism comprising a frame consisting of a main section and separatesections axially related to said main section and rigidly connectedattheir inner ends thereto, electrodes carried by said separatesections, respectively, and a transformer carried by said main framesection and having the terminals of nism and shaped to surround'the mainsection 'tion 22a or outwardly of the electrodes, the elec widelydiffering embodiments and applications of the invention will suggestthemselves-without departing from. the spirit and scope of theinvention. My disclosures and the description herein are purelyillustrative and are not to be in any sense limiting.

' WhatI claim is:

; 1.,In welding apparatus, the com nation with of said frame, a pair ofshafts supported at their opposite ends in said elements in spacedrelation at opposite sides of the vertical plane of the axes of saidelectrodes, a pair of spaced rings fixed to said mainframe section andhaving engagement with said shafts for rotatably supporting saidmechanismfand means for supplying current to the primary winding of saidtransformer.

6. In welding apparatus, the combination, with a support and a unitarymechanismcomprising a frame consisting of amain section and separatesections axially related to said main sectionand rigidly connected attheir inner ends thereto, electrodes carried by said separate sections,respectively, and .a-transformer carried by said main frame section andhaving the terminals of its secondary winding electrically connected tosaid electrodes, of a pair of spaced, parallelly related supportingelements on said support disposed transversely to said mechanism andshaped to form side, top and bottomewalls surrounding said mechanism, apair of shafts supported at their opposite ends in the bottom walls ofsaid elements "in spaced relation at opposite sides of the verticalplane of the axes of said electrodes, 9'. pair of shafts supported attheir opposite ends lation at opposite sides of the vertical plane ofthe axes of said electrodes, spaced rings fixed to said main framesection engaging said pairs of shafts, forrotatably supporting saidmechanism, and means for supplying current to the primary winding ofsaid transformer.

'7. In welding apparatus, the combination with a support, of a separatesupport adjustably mounted thereon, a unitary mechanism comprising aframe consisting of a main section and separate sections axially relatedto said main section and rigidly connected at their inner ends thereto,electrodes carried by said separate secp I 2,284,815 in the top walls ofsaid elements in spaced resaid electrodes and upon opposite sides of thevertical plane of said axes, means for adjusting said separate Support,and means for supplying current to the primary winding of saidtransformer.

a. In welding apparatus, the combination with asupport, of a frame, atransformer mounted in saidframe, a pair of electrodes, means forsupporting said electrodes on one end of said frame, said electrodesbeing electrically connected to the terminals of the secondary windingof said transformer and electrically insulated from said frame, spacedpairs of bearings between said support and said frame disposed parallelto the axes of said electrodes and upon opposite sides of the verticalplane of said axes, and means for supplying current to the primarywinding of said transformer. V

LEONARD A. YODER.

